Washing machine and method of controlling the same

ABSTRACT

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a washing machine, and the washing machine includes: a water supply unit which supplies washing water; a dissolving unit which stores air therein, and mixes the supplied washing water and the inside air so that the stored air is dissolved in the supplied washing water; a pressure pump which selectively pressurizes the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit from the water supply unit; a pressure sensor which detects pressure of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit; and a control unit which controls the pressure pump based on information detected by the pressure sensor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit and priority to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2016-0124309, filed on Sep. 27, 2016, with the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein in its entirely by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a washingmachine and a method of controlling the same, and more particularly, toa washing machine and a method of controlling the same, which arecapable of effectively supplying washing water of the washing machinewith dissolved air and bubbles created by washing water with dissolvedair.

BACKGROUND

In general, a washing machine washes laundry by using friction createdbetween water and laundry and caused by a rotation of a pulsatorinstalled in a washing tub. Specifically, a plurality of holes is formedin an outer circumferential surface of the washing tub positioned insidethe tub, such that water introduced into the tub is introduced into thewashing tub and water in the washing tub maybe discharged out of thetub. That is, during a washing process, a rinsing process, and aspin-drying process, the water in the tub is discharged to the outsideof the tub through a drain line installed at a lower side of the tub.

Therefore, the laundry accommodated in the washing tub is washed by therotation of the pulsator, the rotation of the washing water stored inthe tub and the washing tub, and contact between the water and thelaundry.

However, detergents remaining on surfaces of the laundry or foreignsubstances remaining on the laundry may cause dermatitis, such as atopicdermatitis, when the clothing is worn repeatedly by a user.

To prevent the problem, various technologies for supplying small amountsof washing water to the surfaces of the laundry are applied to helpremove any remaining detergents, etc., but there is a problem in that aseparate device needs to be installed such as a pump for creating thesmall amounts of washing water. In this case, unwanted noise occursbecause of the operation of the pump and moreover there is difficultywith respect to maintenance of the pump when the pump is repeatedly usedover time.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made in an effort to provide a washingmachine which supplies washing water with dissolved air and babbles inorder to advantageously remove remaining detergent or foreign substancesfrom the laundry.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a washingmachine including: a water supply unit operable to supply washing water;a dissolving unit operable to store air therein, and to mix the suppliedwashing water and inside air so that the stored air is dissolved in thesupplied washing water; a pressure pump which selectively pressurizesthe washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit from the watersupply unit; a pressure sensor which detects pressure of the washingwater supplied into the dissolving unit; and a control unit whichcontrols the pressure pump based on information detected by the pressuresensor.

The washing machine may further include: a washing water detectingmember which detects a flow rate (or a level) of the washing watersupplied into the dissolving unit, in which the control unit controlsthe water supply unit to supply the washing water into the dissolvingunit when the information detected by the washing water detecting memberIs a preset washing water level information value or less.

The control unit may control the water supply unit to stop the supply ofwashing water supplied into the dissolving unit when the informationdetected by the washing water detecting member exceeds a preset washingwater level information value.

When pressure of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolvingunit, which is detected by the pressure sensor, is at a preset washingwater pressure information value or less when the water supply unitsupplies the washing water into the dissolving unit, the control unitmay operate the pressure pump to pressurize the washing water to besupplied into the dissolving unit.

The control unit may stop the operation of the pressure pump whenpressure of the washing water to he supplied into the dissolving unitwhich is detected by the pressure sensor, exceeds the preset washingwater pressure information value.

The washing machine may further include: a tab which stores the washingwater; and a bubble generating unit which is disposed between thedissolving unit and the tub, and generates bubbles by using the washingwater with dissolved air introduced from the dissolving unit and furthersupplies the bubbles into the tub.

The bubble generating unit may include: a bubble body which includes abubble inlet port formed at one side thereof, and a bubble dischargeport formed at the other side thereof; a bubble nozzle which is disposedinside the bubble body, and has a bubble flow path that has an innerdiameter increasing from the bubble inlet port to the bubble dischargeport and generates bubbles; and a bubble check valve which is disposedbetween the bubble inlet port and the bubble nozzle, and guides thewater with dissolved ah; which is introduced from the bubble inlet port,to the bubble nozzle.

The dissolving unit may include: an outer body which is opened at oneside and has a hollow interior; an inner body which is opened at oneside, and is disposed in the outer body such that an outercircumferential surface of the inner body is spaced apart from an innercircumferential surface of the outer body so as to form a dissolvingflow path; a dissolving cap which is coupled to one side of the outerbody and has a dissolving inlet port formed such that the washing watersupplied from the water supply unit is supplied into the inner body; aporous portion which is formed in one area of the inner body; and adissolving guide port which is formed in the outer body, and guides thewater passing through the dissolving flow path to the bubble generatingunit.

The dissolving unit may further include: a dissolving drain port whichis disposed at a side of the outer body which is lower than thedissolving guide port in the longitudinal direction of the outer body;and a discharge check valve which discharges the water with dissolvedair remaining in the dissolving unit to the outside of the dissolvingunit when the supply of the washing water by the water supply unit isstopped by tire control unit.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides awashing machine including: a water supply unit, which supplies washingwater; a dissolving unit which stores air therein, and mixes thesupplied washing water and the inside air so that the stored air isdissolved in the supplied washing water; a pressure pump whichselectively pressurizes the washing water to be supplied into thedissolving unit from the water supply unit; a washing water detectingmember which detects a flow rate (or a level) of the washing watersupplied into the dissolving unit; and a control unit which controls thewater supply unit so as to supply the washing water into the dissolvingunit when information detected by the washing water detecting member isat a preset washing water level information value or less.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides amethod of controlling a washing machine, the method including: supplyingwashing water into a dissolving unit; detecting information about a flowrate (or a level) of the washing water supplied into the dissolvingunit; comparing the detected information about the washing water in thedissolving unit and preset information about the washing water in thedissolving unit; and controlling a supply of the washing water to besupplied into the dissolving unit based on the detected informationabout the washing water in the dissolving unit and the presetinformation about the washing water in the dissolving unit.

The controlling of the supply of the washing water to be supplied intothe dissolving unit may include: cutting off the supply of the washingwater to be supplied into the dissolving unit when the detectedinformation about the washing water in the dissolving unit exceeds thepreset information about the washing water in the dissolving unit; andmaintaining the supply of the washing water to be supplied into thedissolving unit when the detected information about the washing water inthe dissolving unit is equal to or less than the preset informationabout the washing water in the dissolving unit.

The method may include: detecting pressure of the washing water to besupplied into the dissolving unit after maintaining the supply of thewashing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit; comparing thedetected washing water pressure information with preset washing waterpressure information; and applying pressure to the washing water to besupplied into the dissolving unit in accordance with the detectedwashing water pressure information and the preset washing water pressureinformation.

According to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, thewashing machine and the method of controlling the same may effectivelysupply the washing water with dissolved air or the bubbles in order toadvantageously remove detergent or foreign substances remaining on thelaundry by reducing surface tension between the laundry and thedetergent or the foreign substances. The foregoing summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Inaddition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and featuresdescribed above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will becomeapparent by reference to the drawings and the following detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a washing machine according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrated based on a control unit inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a dissolving unit and a bubble generatingunit in FIG. 1 which are specified in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operational process ofthe control unit in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof. The illustrativeembodiments described in the detailed description, drawing, and claimsare not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, andother changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe subject matter presented here.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so thatthose skilled in the technical field to which the present disclosurepertains may easily carry out the exemplary embodiment. The presentdisclosure may be implemented in various different ways, and is notlimited to the exemplary embodiments described herein.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic, and are not illustratedbased on actual scales. Relative dimensions and proportions of partsillustrated in the drawings are exaggerated or reduced in size for thepurpose of clarity and convenience in the drawings, and any dimension ismerely illustrative and not restrictive. Further, the same referencenumerals designate the same structures, elements or componentsillustrated in two or more drawings in order to exhibit similarcharacteristics.

Exemplary drawings of the present disclosure illustrate ideal exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure in more detail. As a result,various modifications of the drawings are expected. Therefore, theexemplary embodiments are not limited to specific forms in regionsillustrated in the drawings, and for example, include modifications offorms due to manufacture.

Hereinafter, a washing machine 101 according to an exemplary embodimentof the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to3.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the washing machine 101 according tothe exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a watersupply unit 130, a dissolving unit 300, a pressure pump 140, a pressuresensor 120, and a control unit 700.

The water supply unit 130 supplies washing water. Specifically, thewater supply unit 130 may selectively supply the washing water.

Air is stored in the dissolving unit 300. In addition, the dissolvingunit 300 mixes the supplied washing water and the inside air so that thestored air is dissolved in the supplied washing water.

The pressure pump 140 selectively pressurizes the washing water to besupplied into the dissolving unit 300 from the water supply unit 130.Specifically, the pressure pump 140 may selectively apply pressure tothe washing water, which is introduced from the water supply unit 130and supplied to die dissolving unit 300, and may guide the pressurizedwashing water to flow into the dissolving unit 300.

The pressure sensor 120 may detect the pressure of the washing watersupplied into the dissolving unit 300. Specifically, the pressure sensor120 may be disposed between the pressure pump 140 and the dissolvingunit 300, and may detect the pressure of the washing water pressurizedby the pressure pump 140.

Moreover, the control unit 700 may control the pressure pump 140 basedon the pressure of the washing water which is detected by the pressuresensor 120, and may selectively apply pressure to tire washing water tobe supplied into the dissolving unit 300. That is, it is possible toallow the stored air and the washing water to be effectively mixed inthe dissolving unit 300 by applying pressure to the washing water thatis introduced into the dissolving unit 300.

The washing machine 101 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure may further include a washing water detecting member110. In addition, the control unit 700 may allow the water supply unit130 to supply the washing water into the dissolving unit 300 when theinformation detected by the washing water detecting member 110 is at apreset washing water level information value or less.

The washing water detecting member 110 may detect a flow rate oralternatively a level of the washing water supplied into the dissolvingunit 300. Specifically, the washing water detecting member 110 maydetect a flow rate or a level of the washing water supplied into thedissolving unit 300, thereby detecting the amount of washing waterintroduced into the dissolving unit 300. The washing water detectingmember 110 may be disposed in a supply line through which the washingwater is supplied into the dissolving unit 300 or to the dissolving unit300.

The washing water level information value may be preset in the controlunit 700. The preset washing water level information value is a value atwhich the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 may beeffectively mixed with the air stored in the dissolving unit 300 and thestored air may he effectively dissolved in the supplied washing water.That is, with the washing water detecting member 110, the control unit700 may determine whether a relatively excessively large amount ofwashing water is supplied in comparison with the air stored in thedissolving unit 300.

Therefore, when the information detected by the washing water detectingmember 110 is at a preset washing water level information value or less,the control unit 700 may allow the water supply unit 130 to continuouslysupply the washing water into the dissolving unit 300.

As an example, the water supply unit 130 may be a water supply valvecontrolled by the control unit 700 to selectively supply water.

The control unit 700 of the washing machine 101 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may control the watersupply unit 130 to stop supplying washing water into the dissolving unit300 when the information detected by the washing water detecting member110 exceeds the preset washing water level information value.

When, the information detected by the washing water detecting member 110exceeds the preset washing water level information value, the controlunit 700 may determine that a relatively excessively large amount ofwashing water is supplied in comparison with the air stored in thedissolving unit 300 and thus the air cannot be effectively dissolved inthe supplied washing water. In this case, the control unit 700 maycontrol the water supply unit 130 to cut off supply of washing waterinto the dissolving unit 300.

The control unit 700 of the washing machine 101 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may operate the pressurepump 140 in a case in which pressure of the washing water to be suppliedinto the dissolving unit 300, which is detected by die pressure sensor120, is at a preset washing water pressure information value or lesswhen the water supply unit 130 supplies the washing water into thedissolving unit 300.

The pressure information value of the washing water may be preset in thecontrol unit 700. That is, the washing water pressure information valuepreset in the control unit 700 may be information related to thepressure of the washing water at which the washing water supplied intothe dissolving unit 300 may be effectively mixed with the air in thedissolving unit 300.

Therefore, the control unit 700 may operate the pressure pump 140 topressurize the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit 300so that the supplied washing water is effectively mixed with the storedair in the dissolving unit 300 and the air is dissolved in the suppliedwashing water. That is, the washing water, which is pressurized by thepressure pump 140 and supplied into the dissolving unit 300, may flow ata high flow velocity in the dissolving unit 300 and may be effectivelymixed with the air stored in the dissolving unit 300.

The control unit 700 of the washing machine 101 according to theexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may stop the operation ofthe pressure pump 140 when the pressure of the washing water to besupplied into the dissolving unit 300, which is detected by the pressuresensor 120, exceeds the preset washing water pressure information value.

When the pressure of the washing water to be supplied into thedissolving unit 300, which is detected by the pressure sensor 120,exceeds the preset washing water pressure information value, the controlunit 700 may determine that the pressure of the washing water beingcurrently supplied into the dissolving unit 300 may sufficiently enablethe air stored in the dissolving unit 300 and the supplied washing waterto be effectively mixed.

In this case, the control unit 700 may stop the operation of thepressure pump 140, thereby cease applying pressure to the washing waterto be supplied into the dissolving unit 300.

As illustrated in the aforementioned FIG. 1, the washing machine 101according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure mayfurther include a tub 200 and a bubble generating unit 400.

The tub 200 may store the washing water. Specifically, the washingmachine 101 may further include a housing 100, a washing tub 250, apulsator 260, and a drive unit 270.

The housing 100 defines an external appearance of the washing machine101. The tub 200 is installed in the housing 100 and may store thewashing water. The washing tub 250 is installed in the tub 200 andaccommodates laundry. The pulsator 260 is installed in the washing tub250 and may rotate. The drive unit 270 is disposed between the housing100 and the tub 200 and may rotate the pulsator 260 or the washing tub250.

A drain line 210 through which the washing water stored in the tub 200may be discharged to the outside of the tub 200 is installed at a lowerside-of the tub 200.

The bubble generating unit 400 may be disposed between the dissolvingunit 300 and the tub 200, In addition, the bubble generating unit 400may be supplied with the washing water with dissolved air from thedissolving unit 300, may generate bubbles, and may supply the bubbles tothe tub 200. That is, the bubble generating unit 400 may generatebubbles by using the washing water with dissolved, air supplied from thedissolving unit 300, and may supply the bubble to the tub 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the bubble generating unit 400 of the washingmachine 101 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure may include a bubble body 410, a bubble nozzle 420, and abubble check valve 430.

The bubble body 410 may include a bubble inlet port 411 and a bubbledischarge port 412. Specifically, the bubble inlet port 411 may beformed at one side of the bubble body 410, and the bubble discharge port412 may be formed at the other side of the bubble body 410.

The bubble nozzle 420 may be disposed inside the bubble body 410. Thebubble nozzle 420 may be formed with a bubble flow path 421 formed tohave an inner diameter which increases from the bubble inlet port 411 tothe bubble discharge port 412. Specifically, the washing water withdissolved air, which is introduced into the bubble inlet port 411, maybe deaerated while passing through the bubble flow path 421, therebyadvantageously generating bubbles.

As an example, a single or a plurality of bubble flow paths 421 may beformed in the bubble nozzle 420. That is, one or more bubble flow paths421 may be formed in the bubble nozzle 420.

Therefore, with the bubble nozzle 420 having the bubble flow path 421,the bubble generating unit 400 may effectively generate bubbles by usingthe washing water with dissolved air.

The bubble check valve 430 may be disposed between the bubble inlet port411 in the bubble body 410 and the bubble nozzle 420. In addition, thebubble check valve 430 may guide the washing water with dissolved air sothat it is supplied from the bubble inlet port 411 to the bubble nozzle420. Further, the bubble check valve 430 may block a flow of fluidintroduced into the bubble inlet port 411 from the bubble discharge port412.

That is, the bubble check valve 430 opens the bubble inlet port 411 dueto the pressure of the washing water with dissolved air, and may guidethe washing water with dissolved air, which is introduced into thebubble inlet port 411, so that the washing water with dissolved airpasses through the bubble flow path 421 formed in the bubble nozzle 420.Further, when the fluid is supplied from the bubble discharge port 412and flows to the bubble inlet port 411, the bubble inlet port 411 isclosed thereby preventing the fluid from being, supplied into thedissolving unit 300.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the dissolving unit 300 of the washing machine101 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure mayinclude an outer body 310, an inner body 320, a dissolving cap 330, aporous portion 321, and a dissolving guide port 311.

The outer body 310 is opened at one side, and may have a hollowinterior. As an example, the outer body 310 may be formed to have ahollow shape having a cross section having approximately a “U” shape inwhich a lower portion of the outer body 310 is formed in a hemisphericshape, and an upper portion of the outer body 310 is opened.

Like the outer body 310, one side of the inner body 320 may be opened,and the other side may be formed in a hemispheric shape. In addition,the inner body 320 may be disposed inside the outer body 310. Further,an outer circumferential surface of the inner body 320 may be disposedto be spaced apart from an inner circumferential surface of the outerbody 310 in order to form a dissolving flow path. Specifically, one sideof the inner body 320 may be supported by one side of the outer body310.

That is, one side of the inner body 320 is supported by one side of theouter body 310, and the outer circumferential surface of the inner body320 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the inner circumferentialsurface of the outer body 310 in order to form the dissolving flow path.

The dissolving cap 330 may be coupled to one side of the outer body 310.Specifically, the dissolving cap 330 is formed approximately in ahemispheric shape, and may cover the opened one side of the outer body310. Therefore, with the hemispheric shape of the dissolving cap 330 andthe hemispheric shape of the lower portion of the outer body 310, airmay be effectively stored in the dissolving unit 300. Further, adissolving inlet port 331 may be formed in the dissolving cap 330. Thedissolving inlet port 331 may guide washing water supplied from thewater supply unit 130 so that washing water is supplied into the innerbody 320.

The porous portion 321 may be formed in one area of the inner body 320.The porous portion 321 may guide at least a part of the washing waterintroduced into the inner body 320 through the dissolving inlet port 331so that at least a part of tire washing water collides with washingwater currently introduced through the dissolving inlet port 331 andflowing into the dissolving flow path. In addition, the porous portion321 may be formed in one area at one side of the inner body 320 or onearea of the outer circumferential surface of the inner body 320.Specifically, the porous portion 321 may be formed in one area of theinner body 320 that is relatively close to the dissolving Met port 331.As an example, the porous portion 321 may have a plurality of holesformed in a circumferential direction of the inner body 320. That is,the porous portion 321 may be formed at an upper side of the inner body320 adjacent to the dissolving inlet port 331.

That is, the washing water introduced into the dissolving inlet port 331formed in the dissolving cap 330 may flow into the interior of the innerbody 320, and may flow from the interior of the inner body 320 throughthe porous portion 321 along the dissolving flow path in a direction inwhich a distance from the dissolving inlet port 331 is increased.Specifically, the washing water supplied into the dissolving inlet port331 formed in the dissolving cap 330 may be mixed with air stored in thedissolving unit 300 while flowing into the inner body 320 and along thedissolving flow path formed between the inner body 320 and the outerbody 310, thereby dissolving the stored air in the washing waterintroduced from the dissolving inlet port 331.

In other words, advantageously without requiring a separate agitatingdevice or a separate mixing member, the washing water introduced intothe dissolving inlet port 331 of the dissolving unit 300 may beeffectively mixed with the air stored in the dissolving unit 300 whileflowing into the interior of the inner body 320 in the dissolving unit300 and along the dissolving flow path.

The dissolving guide port 311 may be formed at the other side of theouter body 310. In addition, the dissolving guide port 311 may guide thewashing water passing through the dissolving flow path formed betweenthe inner body 320 and the outer body 310 so that the washing water issupplied into the bubble generating unit 400.

The dissolving unit 300 of the washing machine 101 according to theexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include adissolving drain port 312 and a discharge check valve 350.

The dissolving drain port 332 is formed at the other side of the outerbody 310, and may be spaced apart from the dissolving guide port 311.Specifically, the dissolving drain port 312 may be formed at a lowestside of the hemispheric shape of the outer body 310, and the dissolvingguide port 311 may be formed in a direction that intersects thedissolving drain port 312. That is, the dissolving drain port 312 may bedisposed at a side of the outer body which is lower than the dissolvingguide port 311 in the longitudinal direction of the outer body 310.

When the amount of-washing water stored in the outer body 310 (or alevel of the washing water stored in the inner body 320 and the outerbody 310) is at a predetermined amount or larger, the dissolving drainport 312 may guide the washing water to discharge the washing waterthrough the drain line 210 of the tub 200. Specifically, the drain line210 is installed at the lower side of the tub 200, and guides thewashing water stored in the tub 200 to discharge the washing water tothe outside of the tub 200. That is, the dissolving drain port 312 andthe drain line 210 may be connected through a tube or a hose so that thewashing water stored in the outer body 310 and the inner body 320 may bedischarged to the drain line 210.

An inner hole 322 may be formed at the other hemispheric side of theinner body 320. The inner hole 322 is formed with an area relativelysmaller that an area of the opened one side of the inner body 320, andas a result, it is possible to prevent the washing water introduced intothe dissolving inlet port 331 from flowing directly to the dissolvingguide port 311 through the inner hole 322. Further, the inner hole 322may guide the washing water stored in the interior of the inner body 320and along the dissolving flow path formed between the outer body 310 andthe inner body 320 so that the washing water is discharged to the drainline 210 of the tub 200 through the dissolving dram port 312.

The discharge check valve 350 is disposed at the other hemispheric sideof the outer body 310. In addition, the discharge check valve 350 isopened in accordance, with a level (pressure) of the washing waterremaining in the dissolving unit 300. Specifically, the washing waterremaining in the inner body 320 is discharged through the inner hole 322formed at the other hemispheric side of the inner body 320 (through thedissolving drain port 312), to the outside through the drain line 210which is installed at the lower side of the tub 200 in order todischarge the washing water, which is stored in the tub 200, to theoutside of the tub 200.

More specifically, when the water supply unit 130 stops the supply ofthe washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 under control ofthe control unit 700, the washing water remaining in the dissolving unit300 is supplied into the tub 200 through the bubble generating unit 400.In a case in which the residual washing water cannot open the bubblecheck valve 430 of the bubble generating unit 400, the discharge checkvalve 350 is opened so that the dissolving drain port 312 communicateswith the dissolving flow path, and as a result, the washing waterremaining in the dissolving unit 300 is discharged to the outside of thedissolving unit 300 and discharged through the drain line 210 of the tub200.

As an example, the discharge check valve 350 may be opened in accordancewith a level or pressure of the washing water stored in the dissolvingunit 300.

The dissolving unit 300 according to the exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure may further include an air supply check valve 340.The air supply check valve 340 is formed on the dissolving cap 330, andopened when the discharge check valve 350 of the dissolving unit 300 isopened, thereby filling the interior of the dissolving unit 300 withair. In this case, responsive to the air in which the interior of thedissolving unit 300 is filled (by the discharge check valve 350), theresidual washing water may be effectively discharged to the dissolvingdrain port 312.

Specifically, the air supply cheek valve 340 is opened and closed inaccordance with and responsive to the pressure in the dissolving unit300 in order to supply the outside air into the dissolving unit 300, andin a ease in which the pressure in the dissolving unit 300 is at apredetermined pressure or higher, it is possible to prevent the airreceived or stored in the dissolving unit 300 from being discharged tothe outside.

Hereinafter, an operational process of the washing machine 101 accordingto the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

Washing water is supplied into the tub 200 during a washing mode or arinsing mode of the washing machine 101 (S100). Specifically, washingwater is supplied into the dissolving unit 300 through the water supplyunit 130. The washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 ismixed with air stored in the dissolving unit 300.

Specifically, the air, which is supplied through the air supply checkvalve 340 when the pressure in the dissolving unit 300 is at apredetermined pressure or lower, may be stored in the dissolving unit300.

That is, the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 flowsalong the interior of the dissolving unit 300 so that the air stored inthe dissolving unit 300 is dissolved in the washing water. Specifically,the washing water introduced through the dissolving inlet port 331 andsupplied from the water supply unit 130 flows into the inner body 320and is stored in the hollow interior of the inner body 320. In thiscase, the washing water, which is continuously supplied through thedissolving inlet port 331, and the washing water, which is stored in thehollow interior of the inner body 320, collide with each other, flowalong the inner wall of the inner body 320, and flow over toward thedissolving flow path between the inner circumferential surface of theouter body 310 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner body320 through the porous portion 321 formed in one area of the inner body320 that is adjacent to the opened one side of the inner body 320.

Therefore, the washing water Introduced Into the dissolving unit 300 bythe water supply unit 130 flows into the inner body 320 and along thedissolving flow path located between the inner body 320 and the outerbody 310, and is effectively mixed with the air stored in the dissolvingunit 300 without need of a separate pump or agitating device, therebyenabling air to be advantageously dissolved in the washing waterintroduced into the dissolving inlet port 331.

The washing water with dissolved air in the dissolving unit 300 may besupplied into the bubble generating unit 400 through the dissolvingguide port 311. Specifically, the bubble check valve 430 disposed in thebubble body 410 is opened by the pressure of the washing water withdissolved air, and the washing water with dissolved air is guided to thebubble nozzle 420 through the bubble inlet port 411.

The washing water with dissolved air passes through the bubble flow path421 which is formed with an inner diameter that increases from thebubble inlet port 411 to the bubble discharge port 412 which are formedin the bubble nozzle 420. As the water with dissolved air passes, theair is separated from the washing water with dissolved air, therebygenerating bubbles. That is, fine micro bubbles may be advantageouslygenerated in accordance with a diameter of the bubble flow path 421 andthe number of bubble flow paths 421.

Specifically, the washing water including the bubbles is supplied to thelaundry accommodated in the washing tub 250 and to the lower side of thetub 200, and the washing water is also supplied to the upper side of thetub 200, and as a result, detergent and foreign substances remaining onthe surfaces of the laundry may be detached from the laundry. Thebubbles supplied to the lower side of the tub 200 pass through thewashing water stored in the tub 200, thereby effectively generatingbubbles. That is, the laundry accommodated in the washing tub 250 andthe bubbles supplied through the lower side of the tub 200 collide witheach other, and as a result residual detergent or foreign substancesattached to the surfaces of the laundry may be effectively andadvantageously detached from the laundry.

The washing water detecting member 110 may detect a flow rate or a levelof washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 (S200). As anexample, the washing water detecting member 110 may he a flow ratesensor or a water level sensor.

The control unit 700 compares the information detected by the washingwater detecting member 110 with the preset washing water levelinformation value (S300). In this case, when the information detected bythe washing water detecting member 110 exceeds the preset washing waterlevel information, value, the control unit 700 controls the water supplyunit 130 to cease the supply of washing water supplied into thedissolving unit 300 (S410). Specifically, the control unit 700 may cutoff the supply of washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 byclosing the water supply valve.

The washing water with dissolved air remaining in the dissolving unit300 may be supplied into the bubble generating unit 400. Thereafter,when the washing water with dissolved air remaining in the dissolvingunit 300 has a level at which the bubble check valve 430 of the bubblegenerating unit 400 cannot be opened, the washing water with dissolvedair may be discharged to the drain line 210 outside the dissolving unit300.

Specifically, when the washing water with dissolved air remaining in thedissolving unit 300 has a level at which the bubble check valve 430 ofthe bubble generating unit 400 cannot be opened, the discharge checkvalve 350 is opened.

The dissolving flow path and the dissolving drain port 312 communicatewith each other by the discharge check valve 350, and as a result, thewashing water with dissolved air remaining m the dissolving unit 300 maybe discharged through the drain line 210. In this case, the air supplycheck valve 340 is opened by the decreasing pressure in the dissolvingunit 300, such that the interior of the dissolving unit 300 may befilled with outside air, and the washing water remaining in thedissolving unit 300 may be effectively discharged to the drain line 210.

Alternatively, the control unit 700 may control the water supply unit130 to continuously supply washing water into the dissolving unit 300when the information detected by the washing water detecting member 110is at the preset washing water level information value or less (S420).

While the water supply unit 130 continuously supplies washing water tothe dissolving unit 300, the pressure sensor 120 detects pressure of thewashing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300.

When the pressure of the washing water to be supplied into thedissolving unit 300, which is detected by the pressure sensor 120, is atthe preset washing water pressure information value or less, the controlunit 700 operates the pressure pump 140 to pressurize the washing waterto be supplied into the dissolving unit 300, thereby allowing the bubblegenerating unit 400 to effectively generate bubbles (S520). As anexample, the preset washing water pressure information value may be 1.5kg. Further, the control unit 700 may operate the pressure pump 140until the pressure of the washing water supplied into the dissolvingunit 300, which is detected by the pressure sensor 120, exceeds thepreset washing water pressure information value.

Alternatively, when the pressure of the washing water supplied into thedissolving unit 300. which is detected by the pressure sensor 120,exceeds the preset washing water pressure information Value, the controlunit 700 stops the operation of the pressure pump 140 (S510). That is,the control unit 700 determines that the bubble generating unit 400 mayeffectively generate bubbles even by the pressure of the washing waterbeing currently introduced into the dissolving unit 300.

According to the washing machine 101 of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure having the aforementioned configurations, the controlunit 700 may control the water supply unit 130 or the pressure pump 140based on information about the amount of supplied water or the pressureof the supplied water which may be effectively mixed with the stored airwhen the washing water is introduced into the dissolving unit 300, andas a result, the washing machine 101 may allow the washing watersupplied into the dissolving unit 300 to be effectively mixed, with thestored air.

While the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled inthe art will understand that the present disclosure may be implementedin any other specific form without changing the technical spirit or anessential feature thereof.

Accordingly, it should be understood that the aforementioned exemplaryembodiments are described for illustration in all aspects and is notlimited, and the scope of the present disclosure shall be represented bythe claims to be described below, and it should be construed that all ofthe changes or modified forms induced from the meaning and the scope ofthe claims, and an equivalent concept thereto are included in the scopeof the present disclosure.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, and that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intendedto be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A washing machine comprising: a water supply unitoperable to supply washing water; a dissolving unit operable to storeair therein, and to mix washing water supplied thereto with stored air,wherein stored air is dissolved in the washing water supplied thereto; apressure pump operable to selectively pressurize the washing water to besupplied into the dissolving unit from the water supply unit; a pressuresensor operable to detect pressure of the washing water supplied intothe dissolving unit; and a control unit operable to control the pressurepump responsive to information detected by the pressure sensor.
 2. Thewashing machine of claim 1, further comprising: a washing waterdetecting member which detects one of a flow rate and a level of thewashing water supplied into the dissolving unit, and wherein the controlunit is further operable to control the water supply unit to supplywashing water when information detected by the washing water detectingmember is at a preset washing water level information value or less. 3.The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the control unit is furtheroperable to control the water supply unit to stop supplying washingwater when the information detected by the washing water detectingmember exceeds the preset washing water level information value.
 4. Thewashing machine of claim 1, wherein when pressure of the washing waterto be supplied into the dissolving unit, as detected by the pressuresensor, is at a preset washing water pressure information value or less,the control unit is operable to control the pressure pump to pressurizethe washing water.
 5. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein thecontrol unit is operable to stop operation of the pressure pump whenpressure of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit,as detected by the pressure sensor, exceeds a preset washing waterpressure information value.
 6. The washing machine of claim 4, whereinthe control unit is operable to stop operation of the pressure pump whenpressure of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit,as detected by the pressure sensor, exceeds the preset washing waterpressure information value.
 7. The washing machine of claim 1, furthercomprising: a tub operable to store washing water; and a bubblegenerating unit, disposed between the dissolving unit and the tub, andoperable to generate bubbles by using washing water with dissolved airtherein supplied from the dissolving unit, and to supply the bubblesinto the tub.
 8. The washing machine of claim 7, wherein the bubblegenerating unit comprises: a bubble body having a bubble inlet portformed at one side thereof, and a bubble discharge port formed at theother side thereof; a bubble nozzle disposed inside the bubble body, andforming a bubble flow path having an inner diameter that increases insize from the bubble inlet port to the bubble discharge port and whereinsaid bubble flow path is operable to generate bubbles; and a bubblecheck valve disposed between the bubble inlet port and the bubblenozzle, and operable to guide the washing water with dissolved airtherein, supplied from the bubble inlet port, to the bubble nozzle. 9.The washing machine of claim 7, wherein the dissolving unit comprises:an outer body opened at one side and having a hollow interior; an innerbody opened at one side, and disposed in the outer body wherein an outercircumferential surface of the inner body is spaced apart from an innercircumferential surface of the outer body to form a dissolving flowpath; a dissolving cap coupled to the one side of the outer body, andhaving a dissolving inlet port formed wherein, washing water suppliedfrom the water supply unit is supplied into the inner body; a porousportion disposed in one area of the inner body; and a dissolving guideport disposed in the outer body, and operable to guide water passingthrough the dissolving flow path to the bubble generating unit.
 10. Thewashing machine of claim 9, wherein the dissolving unit furthercomprises: a dissolving drain port disposed at a side of the outer bodywhich is lower than the dissolving guide port in a longitudinaldirection of the outer body; and a discharge check valve operable todischarge washing water with dissolved air therein that remains in thedissolving unit to the outside of the dissolving unit when the supply ofwashing water by the water supply unit is stopped by the control unit.11. A washing machine comprising: a water supply unit operable to supplywashing water; a dissolving unit operable to store air therein, and tomix washing water supplied thereto with stored air wherein the storedair is dissolved in tire washing water supplied thereto; a pressure pumpoperable to pressurize the washing water to be supplied into thedissolving unit from the water supply unit; a washing water detectingmember operable to detect one of a flow rate and a level of the washingwater supplied into the dissolving unit; and a control unit operable tocontrol the water supply unit to supply the washing water into thedissolving unit when information detected by the washing water detectingmember is at a preset washing water level information value or less. 12.The washing machine of claim 11, further comprising: a tub operable tostore washing water; and a bubble generating unit, disposed between thedissolving unit and the tub, and operable to generate bubbles by usingwashing water with dissolved air therein supplied from the dissolvingunit, and to supply the bubbles into the tub.
 13. The washing machine ofclaim 12, wherein the bubble generating unit comprises: a bubble bodyhaving a bubble inlet port formed at one side thereof, and a bubbledischarge port formed at the other side thereof; a bubble nozzledisposed inside the bubble body, and forming a bubble flow path havingan inner diameter that increases in size from the bubble inlet port tothe bubble discharge port and wherein said bubble flow path is operableto generate bubbles; and a bubble check valve disposed between thebubble inlet port and the bubble nozzle, and operable to guide the waterwith dissolved air therein, which is supplied from the bubble inletport, to the bubble nozzle.
 14. A method of controlling a washingmachine, the method comprising: supplying washing water into adissolving unit; detecting information about one of a flow rate and alevel of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit; comparingdetected information about the washing water in the dissolving unit topreset information about the washing water in the dissolving unit; andcontrolling a supply of washing water into the dissolving unit based onthe detected information about the washing water in the dissolving unitand the preset information about the washing water in the dissolvingunit.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the controlling supply ofwashing water into the dissolving unit comprises: cutting off supply ofwashing water into the dissolving unit when the detected informationabout the washing water in the dissolving unit exceeds the presetinformation about the washing water in the dissolving unit; andmaintaining supply of washing water into the dissolving unit when thedetected information about the washing water in the dissolving unit isequal to or less than the preset information about the washing water inthe dissolving unit.
 16. The method of claim 15, comprising: detecting apressure of washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit afterthe maintaining supply of the washing water into the dissolving unit;comparing a detected washing water pressure information with, presetwashing water pressure information; and applying pressure to washingwater to be supplied into the dissolving unit in accordance with thedetected washing water pressure information and the preset washing waterpressure information.